Facebook starts testing “reactions,” which extend the site’s “like button” functions with new options : Love, Haha, Yay, Wow, Sad and Angry. Keeping with Zuckerberg’s wishes, there is no “Dislike” button. The test is currently limited to users in Ireland and Spain. Zuckerberg:

For many years though, people have asked us to add a “dislike” button. Not every moment is a good moment, and sometimes you just want a way to express empathy. These are important moments where you need the power to share more than ever, and a Like might not be the best way to express yourself. Reactions gives you new ways to express love, awe, humor and sadness. It’s not a dislike button, but it does give you the power to easily express sorrow and empathy — in addition to delight and warmth.

Qantas adds extra seats to its Boeing 737-800s, increasing the number from 168 to 174. The extra rows are added by making the lavatories smaller and reconfiguring the rear galley. The seat pitch is unchanged. The interiors and seat covers are also being changed. CEO Joyce, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Deputy Premier Jackie Trad are present at the launch of the reconfigured airplanes in Brisbane. Joyce:

The 737 is the backbone of our domestic fleet and this refresh is part of our strategy to deliver the best experience for our customers, whether they’re in the air or on the ground.

Google changes its hangouts design for android phones and adds some new features. It is now easier to send attachments. The new design also allows to send more than one photo at a time. Composing messages is more intuitive. The changes also include tweaks that will improve battery life, improve speed and fix a few bugs.

Frankfurt airport introduces women-only parking places. The ‘Ladies Parking’ spaces are closer to the airport, have CCTV coverage, are better lit, and have more exit points. Women’s groups have labelled this move sexist.

Google announces that users will no longer need to use Google+ to comment on YouTube videos. Horowitz:

In the coming months, a Google Account will be all you’ll need to share content, communicate with contacts, create a YouTube channel and more, all across Google…We want to formally retire the notion that a Google+ membership is required for anything at Google… other than using Google+ itself

The Episcopalian church gives its blessing to allow same-sex couples to marry in the church. Same sex weddings will be allowed after November 1st, however, in a compromise with conservatives, clergy can refuse to perform same-sex services and bishops can prohibit the ceremonies in their diocese. The denomination’s landmark vote, at the Episcopal General Convention in Salt Lake City, came 12 years after the church elected its first openly gay bishop. Priests in many dioceses have already been allowed to perform civil same-sex weddings with a modified prayer service. Church spokesperson:

We have learned to not only care for, but care about one other. That mutual care was present in the conversations we had. Some people disagreed, some people disagreed deeply, but we prayed and we listened and we came up with compromises that we believe make room and leave no one behind.

The Company announces via the YouTube Creators Twitter account that 60 fps is now supported by both the iPhone and Android YouTube app, a feature that many gaming videos choose to use; including the highest subscribed YouTube creator – Pewdiepie. Earlier in the year the option to use 60 fps for up to 4K video was added to the site, though currently there are few videos uploaded in this format, primarily as the equipment that produces this level of footage is expensive, and the resulting video drains the phone battery.

The chain says that by the end of the next year, dozens of ingredients on its “No No List” will be banished from its menu. Some of the ingredients have already been removed, while others are in process. Shaich:

I want to serve everyone the food I want my daughter to eat. And if I feel uncomfortable about serving her some of this stuff, I don’t want anyone else to eat it…The scientific community and consumers get that food that is less processed and closer to a more natural state, made from the kind of ingredients that you can understand, are better for you….Part of where we’re trying to go, we want them to be able to trust that the food they get at Panera is clean, and not even have to think about it…The reality, like everything, is “hey, it may not help you,” all the way to “this could cause cancer.” I can’t answer that. I’m not involved in the science. But I am clear that I can make better food with less processing. So why not?

Clinton’s campaign changes its Facebook and Twitter avatars to a gay-friendly rainbow-flag version of the H-arrow logo. This change comes as arguments begin in the Supreme Court aimed at finally resolving two key remaining questions over gay marriage.

Wikipedia’s mobile app is improved with a a cleaner design that has a short descriptor of the topic at the top of the screen. Many articles are now also preceded by a large image, giving the app more visual interest. The apps search functionality is improved. Each article now has a section at the bottom that connects readers to other information on the topic at hand. An enhanced image viewer allows swiping through images. A “Share a Fact” feature allows users to share images overlaid with text from an article to social media.

The owners of 32 NFL teams discuss changes the extra point rule in 2015-2016 season. Among the possibilities are moving the line of scrimmage back for PAT kicks; placing the ball on the 1½-yard line for a two-point conversion; eliminating the PAT kicks entirely, requiring teams to run a play from scrimmage; and allowing the defense to score, as in college football, if the ball is turned over on a two-point try. The committee will develop alternatives and be ready for a potential vote in two months in San Francisco. Chairman McKay:

There’s a clear movement to wanting to change and change it this year.

As concern increases over the security of its passengers and drivers, Uber is taking measures to address safety concerns. This includes forming round-the-clock response teams that consist of specially trained groups who will investigate safety issues. Uber is also forming a safety advisory board comprised of independent experts who will review Uber’s practices and who will advise on adding safety features. In addition, the background-check standards of Uber’s drivers are being elevated. The company has also established a new code of conduct.

The NFL adjusts the rule defining a catch. Rather than simply make a “football move,” a receiver must establish himself as a runner in the field of play, having control of the ball and both feet in bounds.

Once you go down that path, it becomes more subjective. What is, what isn’t a football move. We’re not talking about a lot of plays over the course of the five seasons since the Calvin Johnson play. This allows us to consistently officiate the rule.

The Company removes the “feeling fat” emoticon from its status menu after the group Endangered Bodies launched multiple Change.org petitions to persuade Facebook to remove the puffed-up and rosy cheeked image. The group says the option is problematic for people who struggle with eating disorders. Facebook:

We’ve heard from our community that listing ‘feeling fat’ as an option for status updates could reinforce negative body image, particularly for people struggling with eating disorders. So we’re going to remove ‘feeling fat’ from the list of options. We’ll continue to listen to feedback as we think about ways to help people express themselves on Facebook.

Catherine Weingarten, a 24-year-old Ohio student who launched the U.S. petition:

As someone who struggled with body image, I feel so happy that I am eliminating one form of body shaming hatred on the internet.

The Circus is phasing out the use of elephants for its performances. Growing public concern over the animals’ treatment as well as ‘anti-circus’ and ‘anti-elephant’ ordinances led to the decision. Thirteen elephants will continue to tour with the circus before they are retired to the Center for Elephant Conservation in 2018.

There’s been somewhat of a mood shift among our consumers. A lot of people aren’t comfortable with us touring with our elephants.

An updated design is launched. The new design is based on “flat design” and is fully responsive (able to be viewed on all sizes of screen). A user support section from UserVoice, is added so that users can add feature requests and open support tickets.

I am now everlastingly grateful to Intel for freeing me from this terrible association with the worst software on the planet. These are not my words, but the words of millions of irate users. My elation at Intel’s decision is beyond words.

Andreessen and a founding team of five other members announce the name change from Mosaic Communications Corporation to Netscape Communications Corporation based on the popularity of the “Netscape” browser. Chairman and CEO Jim Clark says:

We are making this name change both as a gesture of good will to the University of Illinois and to more clearly differentiate our company from other companies marketing World Wide Web browsers. ‘Netscape Communications’ more fully conveys the nature and breadth of our business, which is much more comprehensive than a simple browser for the Internet. Our new name enables us to underscore our unique identity as a premier provider of complete, standards-based client/server solutions for communicating and conducting commerce on the Net.

Welcome to Newslines!

Newslines is a social news network that aims to give readers the complete unbiased news history of any topic. Newslines is built from NewsBlocks, a blockchain that stores news as data, allowing the creation of trusted news applications.